Today we have yet another hardtail launch – The Mondraker Podium Carbon. I mean, what is it with hardtails right now? They are everywhere and yet if you try buying one you find they are nowhere. Demand for all bikes as at fever pitch levels right now but judging by the endless flow of hardtail press releases we are currently getting you’d guess this is where the smart money is.
And so to today’s launch from Mondraker of their Podium Carbon model. A carbon hardtail that Mondraker are claiming is the lightest production hardtail frameset in the world right now. Big claims but at a claimed weight of 775g for the medium they may be right.
Here are some things I found in my kitchen that weigh nearly 775g
Scroll away through the images of what I had to hand in my kitchen this morning.
Anyway, enough of what I have in my kitchen. You probably want to know more about this bike.
The press release we have (full version below) says, “Mondraker has used a new Minimal Concept Design and Stealth Air Carbon layup to create the new frame that, as well as being available to purchase as a frameset-only option, is used for all four 2021 Podium models: Carbon, Carbon R, Carbon RR, Carbon RR SL. The layup is made from high modulus carbon fibres, which result in a stiffer, cleaner hardtail frameset that feels more compliant and purposeful to ride.”
Mondraker has stuck with their forward geometry concept that they pretty much pioneered years ago across their full suspension range that basically means these bikes are pretty long in the reach with a low stack height that puts the riders weight further forward on the bike. We’ve come to love the concept and it is a feature of Mondraker bikes that helps in the downs and as well as the ups. As the press release says…
“The 2021 Podium frame features XC Forward Geometry – a new take on Mondraker’s famously
innovative Forward Geometry that has seen huge success in the gravity world. Its super-long
reach and joined with a shorter stem gives quick and precise handling across all four frame
sizes (S: 390mm / M: 420mm / L: 470mm / XL: 510mm).”
The head angles are a little slacker at 68.5 and the seat tube is a little steeper at 74.5 (effective) all to keep things on trend and add a bit more ‘agro’ to the ride while not making it a ball ache to climb on while seated.
That’s the basic theory so let’s have a look at the bikes and those stats.
Podium Carbon Geometry
The bike comes in four builds priced from £3799 to £7899.
Click the headings to open up the spec details.
Full press release
Mondraker, the independent, specialist mountain bike brand from Spain, has unveiled a super-light new XC bike – the 2021 Podium. The lightest 29er carbon hardtail frameset in the world at just 775g (size M), Podiumis set to give riders the best advantage possible in XC racing.
To create a lightweight bike designed to be ridden at lightning pace on any cross-country course, Mondraker looked to its 20 years of experience in cutting edge mountain bike innovation, together with input from top-level riders from the Primaflor-Mondraker-XSauce Team.
Mondraker has used a new Minimal Concept Design and Stealth Air Carbon layup to create the new frame that, as well as being available to purchase as a frameset-only option, is used for all four 2021 Podium models: Carbon, Carbon R, Carbon RR, Carbon RR SL. The layup is made from high modulus carbon fibres, which result in a stiffer, cleaner hardtail frameset that feels more compliant and purposeful to ride.
The 2021 Podium frame features XC Forward Geometry – a new take on Mondraker’s famously innovative Forward Geometry that has seen huge success in the gravity world. Its super-long reach and joined with a shorter stem gives quick and precise handling across all four frame sizes (S: 390mm / M: 420mm / L: 470mm / XL: 510mm).
Compared with the 2020 model, the 2021 Podium now has a slacker head angle, steeper seat tube and shorter rear triangle, matched with up with superb 100mm travel forks throughout the model range, including the new RockShock SID SL Ultimate RLR on the Podium RR and RR SL. This offers a neutral, balanced feel for climbing prowess and confidence-inspiring stability at any speed.
Mondraker has put as much care and attention into the choice of components as the quality of the frameset. For the range-topping RR SL and RR models, the wheelset is the fast, stiff Mavic CrossMax Carbon SLRs, and the SRAM X01/GX Eagle 1x12s offer an efficient drivetrain whilst minimising the overall weight of the bike. For the RR SL, SRAM Level Ultimate with 160m rotors provide powerful braking, for a faster overall ride speed and for the RR SRAM Level TLMs for fast braking. The R and base models are then kitted out with DT Swiss XR1700 wheelsets and Shimano Deore M6100 1x12s, with Shimano XT M8100 brakes for the for the R and SRAM Level TLMs for the base model.
The 2021 Podiums also include the new SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger, Fizik Antares saddle, fast-rolling Maxxis Ikon tyres, Boost axles and a hidden cable housing guide.
Mondraker founder Miguel Pina said: “We’ve been busy pursuing our aim to create the lightest hardtail frameset on the market, and today we can finally unveil its realisation. The new 2021 Podium represents our core values at Mondraker: creating bikes that feel good to ride, informed by our racing background. With the four different builds, we believe the Podium gives exceptional performance to XC riders – giving them an unfair advantage against their competitors every time they leave the start line.”
Available exclusively in the UK and Ireland from Silverfish UK, model line-up and retail pricing is as follows:
More on the Mondraker website
| MODEL | Colour | SRP |
| PODIUM CARBON | Carbon – White – Flame Red | £3,799 |
| PODIUM CARBON R | Carbon – Yellow – Frost Green | £4,799 |
| PODIUM CARBON RR | Carbon – Flame Red – Light Blue | £5,899 |
| PODIUM CARBON RR SL | Carbon – Light Blue – SID Blue | £7,899 |
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Is the Carbon RR made in Italy?
First the canyon exceed now this what ultra light race machine will we see next?
The new Trek Procaliber
Hey Mark thanks! Was there a frame only price available also please?
Cheers